Headrest



G. A. TAYLOR April 14, 1953 HEADREST Filed July 21, 1950 FIG.

FIG. 2

FIG. 4

FlG. 3

'GEORGE'A. TAYLOR INVENTOR.

gm Am/126 94.

" AGENT I Patented Apr. 14, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEADREST George A. Taylor, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application July 21, 1950, Serial No. 175,039

2 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to head rests, and although it is adapted for general use with chairs and seats of all kinds and description, it is particularly designed for use as a head rest for passengers of an automobile.

The principal object of the present invention "is to provide a head rest which projects above the top of the vertical member of a chair-type seat so as to provide a support for the head of a person sitting on the seat. Accordingly, it is possible for such person tocomfortably recline his head against this head rest without imposing a strain on his back or neck. This head rest is particularly useful on long motor trips when passengers wish to doze or sleep while sitting in an upright position.

It is another object of this invention to provide a head rest which is readily securable to and detachable from, the vertical member of the seat, and yet which will remain securely anchored in place while in use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a head rest which requires no screws, bolts, nuts or the like, to maintain it in place.

Another object of this invention is to provide a head rest which is simple of construction and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the head rest of the present invention with the cushion removed.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front view of the head rest showing the manner whereby the headsupporting cushion may be mounted.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the head rest attached to a seat in operative position.

Figure 4 is a side sectional view taken on a line indicated by arrows IVIV in Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, the novel head rest of my invention comprises broadly a frame, generally designated I0, preferably formed of wire rod; a cushion, generally designated I2, which is carried by the upper portion of the frame I; an anchor member I4, and a flexible element, such as strapping I6, connecting the upper portion of the frame I0 and the anchor member I4.

The frame I0 preferably comprises a pair of spaced side elements I8 which are bent toward each other at their upper portions and thence into a generally rectangular section, which forms a support I9 for the cushion I2. As shown particularly in Figures 1 and 4, the bottom portion of side elements I8 are curved so as to be insertable into the space between the horizontal and vertical members of the seat, generally designated 22, which members are designated 24 and 26, respectively. It should be particularly noted that the extremity of the curved bottom portion is bent downwardly into a sharp reverse curve, as indicated at 20, which curve is adapted to be hooked behind the rear of the horizontal seat member 24, whereby the lower portion of the frame I0 will be locked against forward movement. Preferably, an upper cross-bar 28 and a lower cross-bar 30 will be rigidly secured to the side element I8, as by welding. As shown particularly in Figures 3 and 4, the frame I0 is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the front of the vertical member 26 with the cushion support I9 and the cushion I2 extending above the top of member 26.

Although the cushion I2 may be permanently secured to the cushion support I9, it is desirable that it be easily removable therefrom for cleaning. Preferably, as shown in Figure 4, the cushion will include a pocket 28 at its rear portion wherein may be inserted the cushion support I9. I have found that a cushion formed of an outside covering of plastic or cloth with a padding of foam rubber, kapok or feathers to be very satisfactory.

In order to secure the frame Ill in close proximity to the front of the vertical seat member 26, I have provided an anchor member I4, which conforms generally to the rear upper portion of member 26, whereby it may be hooked thereover, as shown in Figure 4. An adjustable strap l6, having a buckle 33, may be used to connect this anchor member I4 with the upper portion of the frame III at the upper cross-bar 28. It will be understood, however, that other means may be substituted which will accomplish the same result. By way of example, a hook securable to the bottom rear portion of the vertical seat member 26 could be connected to the upper portion of the frame I0 as by elastic cord or webbing.

To position the head rest in place it is only necessary to first insert the curved lower portion of the side elements I8 into the space between seat members 24 and 26, the sharp curve 20 being hooked behind the rear of the horizontal seat member 24, as shown in Figure 4. Next, the anchor member I4 may be hooked over the rear of seat member 26 and the adjustable strapping I6 tightened so as to draw the frame IIJ into close proximity to the front of member 26. It will be noted that once the strapping I8.

is tightened, the curve 20 will lock the lower portion of the frame against forward movement. The head rest may be readily removed by loosening the strapping l6 and tilting the top of the frame forward until the curve 20 is clear of the rear of the horizontal seat member 24.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or' the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A head rest for use with a chair-type seat, comprising: a frame having a pair of spaced side elements which merge into a cushion support at their top portions, their bottom portions being curved so as to be insertable into the space between the horizontal and vertical members of said seat, the extremity of these curved portions being sharply bent downwardly so as to be hookable behind the rear of the horizontal seat member; a cushion carried by said cushion support; an anchor member securable to the rear of the vertical member of said seat; and a flexible element for connecting the upper portion of said frame and said anchor member so as to maintain said frame in close proximity to the front of the vertical member of said seat with said cushion support extending above the top of said vertical member 2. A head rest for use with a chair-type seat, comprising: a frame having a pair of spaced side elements which merge into a cushion support at their top portions, their bottom portions being curved so as to be insertable into the space between the horizontal and vertical members of said seat, the extremity of these curved portions being sharply bent downwardly so as to be hookable behind the rear of the horizontal seat memher; a cushion carried by said cushion support; an anchor member curved so as to conform generally to the rear upper portion of the vertical member of said seat whereby it may be detachably secured thereto; and adjustable strapping for connecting the upper portion of said frame and said anchor member so as to maintain said frame in close proximity to the front of the vertical member of said seat with said cushion support extending above the top of said vertical member.

GEORGE A. TAYDORL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 668,765 Beach Feb. 26, -1 1,837,406 Campbell DEC. 22, 1931 

